Government Troops Launch Final Assault on Abu Sayaf Stronghold in Philippines

Strategic Insights -

Government troops, backed by helicopter gunships and artillery, launched a final assault on the stronghold of Muslim extremist guerrillas in the southern Philippines, resulting in the deaths of six soldiers and an undetermined number of rebels. The assault, led by Lt. Gen. Orlando Soriano, chief of the southern command, aimed to crush the Abu Sayaf group, which has been blamed for the rising tide of violence in the south.

Key Takeaways:

  • Six soldiers were killed and 12 others were wounded in the fierce gunbattle, according to Lt. Gen. Orlando Soriano.
  • The military used 60mm mortars, grenade launchers, and machine-guns in the assault, killing six soldiers and wounding 12 others.
  • The number of rebel casualties was undetermined, but Lt. Gen. Soriano expressed confidence that the military would overrun the heavily fortified camp by nightfall.
  • The assault came after negotiations for the release of kidnapped Catholic priest Cirilo Nacorda bogged down early Tuesday, despite the release of 20 hostages in exchange for 200,000 pesos ($7,400).
  • Lt. Gen. Soriano has expressed doubts that Nacorda is still alive, as the Abu Sayaf group has demanded 3 million pesos ($111,111) for Nacorda's freedom, which the government has refused to pay.
  • The Abu Sayaf, a fundamentalist guerrilla force, has been blamed for the rising tide of violence in the south, and their main camp was conquered by the military earlier this month in the nearby Sulu archipelago.

Statistics:

  • 6 soldiers killed in the gunbattle
  • 12 soldiers wounded in the gunbattle
  • 70 heavily armed guerrillas positioned in foxholes put up fierce resistance to government troops
  • 60mm mortars used by guerrillas
  • 2,000 ground troops involved in the assault, backed by helicopter gunships
  • 200,000 pesos ($7,400) paid by Abu Sayaf for the release of 20 hostages
  • 3 million pesos ($111,111) demanded by Abu Sayaf for the release of Fr. Cirilo Nacorda

Sources:

  • United Press International
  • United Press International (Lt. Gen. Orlando Soriano quote)